‘MR ESSEX’ DOUG INSOLE DIES

BY DEAN WILSON

DOUG INSOLE, the former England batsman, selector and administrator, has died aged 91.

He was affectionately known as ‘Mr Essex’ by those at the club he served with distinction on and off the field for a lifetime as captain, chairman and president.

Insole’s name though is also synonymous with England and his time as an administrator during some of the most contentious issues facing the game.

As chairman of selectors he dropped Geoff Boycott in 1967 after suggesting his batting was “too selfish” in scoring 246 against India.

And in 1968 he refused to select Basil D’Oliveira for the tour to apartheid South Africa despite scoring 158 against the Australians at the Oval.

Many thought it was done to appease the South African government and Insole kept his counsel despite his regret at the whole D’Oliveira affair. He also had to deal with Kerry Packer and the breakaway World Series Cricket as chairman of the Test and County Cricket Board and oversaw a ban on all players signed up.

As a player, Insole (above) appeared in nine Tests between 1950-57, making a century against South Africa.

He retired having made more than 25,000 first-class runs.